Jefferson: Jordan's firing of white employees not racially motivated

Congressman Jefferson issued the following statement on the resignation of Eddie Jordan and allegations that came to light during the a civil trial that ended with Jordan getting hit with a $3.7 million legal judgment for violating the civil rights of white employees. During that trial, witnesses testified that a staff member of Jefferson -- long a political patron of Jordan -- directing the hiring and firing that lead to the lawsuit. In a separate federal criminal probe, Jefferson awaits trial on 16 counts of bribery and corruption.

Full text of the congressman's statement:

"I deeply regret that District Attorney Eddie Jordan was unable to complete his term in office successfully. I and many others had prayed for his success in that position. Like every other person of goodwill in this community, I do not condone the hiring or firing of any person based on race. It is Mr. Jordan's contention that this did not happen, however, the court has decided otherwise.

Much has been made about the assistance given by a member of my staff who took leave to provide administrative support at the D.A.'s office during transition. Of course, she had no decision-making power with respect to the persons who would be hired or fired in the D.A.'s office, and I personally made no recommendation as to who should be employed or retained. It is important to note that every white Assistant District Attorney was retained by Mr. Jordan and the persons replaced by Mr. Jordan's hires were non-legal personnel.

As the first African American District Attorney, Mr. Jordan was overwhelmingly supported by the African American community. The staff of the out-going D.A. was overwhelmingly white. Mr. Jordan's effort to hire qualified people whom he knew or who were supportive of his campaign naturally meant that the pool of such applicants would overwhelmingly be African Americans. Every D.A. has been accorded the right to let go the prior D.A.'s personnel and hire his own. It is unfortunate that in this case Mr. Jordan's effort to follow this well-established practice ended with the appearance that he was discriminating against a segment of the population. I did not believe then, and I do not believe now that this was ever his intention."